Honor Student Champions

2017 WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend and pay tribute to those who, by achieving outstanding success in their educational endeavors and competitions, have inspired and brought pride to our majestic Empire State; and WHEREAS, It is also the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize the dedication and commitment of our young people who distinguish themselves through excellence in scholastic competition; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to congratulate the Warwick Valley Middle School Odyssey of the Mind Team upon the occasion of capturing the 2017 World Championship on Saturday,

May 27, 2017, at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan; and WHEREAS, Odyssey of the Mind is an international educational program which provides creative problem-solving opportunities for students from kindergarten through college; team members apply their creativity to solve problems that range from building mechanical devices to presenting their own interpretation of literary classics; and WHEREAS, Odyssey of the Mind teams bring their solutions to competition on the local, state, and world level; 825 teams from throughout the United States and from numerous other countries participate in the program; and WHEREAS, The Warwick Valley Middle School Odyssey of the Mind Team emerged victorious in a field of 54 other teams to capture the top prize at the 38th Annual Odyssey of the Mind World Finals; and WHEREAS, This remarkable group of six students created a humorous story about a family that brings home an "Odd-a-Bot"; instead of being programmed to perform tasks, this Odd-a-Bot robot learns from watching others; the team designed, built, and operated an original robot which demonstrates human characteristics when performing tasks; and WHEREAS, During the performance, the Odd-a-Bot moved and learned human actions from watching characters perform activities such as household chores, creating art, and dancing; and WHEREAS, Prior to winning the World Title, the Warwick Valley Middle School Odyssey of the Mind Team won its regional competition, and then took first place at the New York State competition at SUNY Binghamton; and WHEREAS, Coaches JB DiCarlantonio and Michelle Amato have done a superb job in guiding, molding and inspiring the team members toward their goals; and WHEREAS, The triumphant Warwick Valley Middle School Odyssey of the Mind Team members are Mary Hoey, Stephen D'Ambrosio, Kayla Amato, Sasha Blanchard, Aiden Woods, and Kyle Gutierrez; and WHEREAS, Poised eagerly with enthusiasm and determined purpose, these scholars now stand honorably, with just pride in their accomplishments and in eager anticipation of future challenges, understanding and appreciating the caring counsel and support provided by their teachers, family and friends; and WHEREAS, Educational competition instills the values of teamwork, pride and accomplishment, and these outstanding students have clearly made a contribution to the spirit of excellence which is a tradition of their school; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to congratulate the Warwick Valley Middle School Odyssey of the Mind Team upon the occasion of capturing the 2017 Odyssey of the Mind World Championship; and be it further RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the members and coaches of the Warwick Valley Middle School Odyssey of the Mind Team, and to Dr. Lisamarie Spindler, Principal, Warwick Valley Middle School.